Moyes snub as Baines strikes new deal

Despite Leighton Baines being in the midsts of Manchester United transfer talk, the England left back has signed a new contract with Everton.

For months now Leighton Baines has been a priority target for Manchester United, even before David Moyes opted for career suicide by moving from Goodison Park to Old Trafford.

If it wasn't for some strange posturing by Manchester United in the summer, there is no doubt that Baines would have joined Marouane Fellaini at Manchester United during the summer transfer window.

Even Everton coach Alan Stubbs confessed to the media that Baines did want to make the move to the Premier League champions.

So everyone had assumed that once the January transfer window opened then Manchester United and David Moyes would be back, this time with a serious offer of around £15million.

With the knowledge that Baines wanted to leave only a couple of months ago, it seemed a forgone conclusion that we were unable to stand in his way.

So reports of a possible new contract at Goodison Park, came as somewhat of a surprise.

Everton gaffer Roberto Martinez had already played down suggestions that Everton could double his wages in a bid to keep him at the club, but according to local media reports a couple of weeks ago the 29-year-old was on the verge of signing a lucrative new deal at the club.

It was one of those reports that while plausible, especially considering the landscape at Old Trafford right now, you still wanted to wait for the official news.

Baines has reported signed a new new four-year contract at Goodison Park.

'It would be an understatement to say we are delighted to secure the best footballing years of Leighton Baines at our club, It's a massive boost and exciting for the future. Leighton has just turned 29 and brings the right measure of maturity and football knowledge in a very specialised position on the pitch, bringing an infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad.' Everton manager Roberto Martinez told evertonfc.com.

He continued: 'I know that every fan will be delighted with the news and we all share that excitement looking at what's left of this campaign and beyond. With the crucial games we have ahead, it is going to be vitally important to have Leighton's experience there to help us fight for our aims.'

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